The Rise of India’s Green Corridors: How CNG and Bio-CNG Are Powering Long-Distance Travel

India’s highways are no longer just about speed and connectivity — they’re becoming the frontlines of the clean energy movement. By 2025, over 70% of India’s National Highways network is connected to at least one operational CNG or LNG refuelling station every 100 km. (PNGRB Infrastructure Report 2025)

This is not an accident — it’s a mission. Under the National Green Corridor Initiative (NGCI) and SATAT programme, India is building a highway ecosystem where commercial fleets, private cars, and buses can travel seamlessly on CNG and Bio-CNG from Delhi to Chennai, Mumbai to Guwahati, and beyond.

The road to sustainability, quite literally, runs through the highways.

🛞 The CNG Expansion Revolution

As of mid-2025, India operates over 8,340 CNG stations, a figure growing by 18% year-on-year. According to PNGRB projections, by 2030 this number will surpass 14,000, and nearly half will be strategically placed along highways and expressways.

Key “green corridors” already operational include:

Delhi–Jaipur–Udaipur–Ahmedabad corridor: Over 80 CNG stations active, serving both passenger and freight traffic.

Mumbai–Pune–Bengaluru corridor: Rapidly expanding CNG coverage integrated with city gas grids.

Delhi–Lucknow–Varanasi corridor: Connecting North and East India with uninterrupted clean-fuel availability.

These aren’t pilot projects — they’re part of a structured plan to make CNG travel as convenient as petrol, and even cheaper.

🔋 The Bio-CNG Integration: Green Fuel, Local Sourcing

Beyond fossil CNG, Bio-CNG is now entering the highway network. Under the SATAT scheme, local Bio-CNG plants located near agricultural belts and waste management zones are feeding into nearby highway stations.

By 2030, the target is to achieve 25% Bio-CNG blending in all CNG supply — meaning every long-distance CNG vehicle on the road will automatically emit up to 80% less CO₂ without any mechanical modification.

This integration is already visible in regions like Maharashtra and Gujarat, where local CBG (Compressed Biogas) plants supply highway stations via cascade cylinders.

🚚 The Logistics and Fleet Impact

Long-distance logistics operators, especially fleet owners in transport, food delivery, and e-commerce, are rapidly transitioning to CNG due to its cost efficiency.

Fueling a 1,000 km trip:

Diesel truck cost ≈ ₹16,000

CNG truck cost ≈ ₹9,000–₹10,000

That’s nearly 40% savings — and zero compromise on load or reliability.

Fleet electrification on highways remains limited due to charging downtime and payload constraints. CNG and Bio-CNG, on the other hand, deliver instant scalability using existing vehicles, trained mechanics, and national pipelines.

This makes CNG India’s most practical bridge fuel for heavy and medium-duty long-distance operations.

🌱 Environmental Gains Along the Highway

The environmental benefit of this transition is massive:

A single CNG bus emits 25% less CO₂ and 95% less particulate matter than a diesel bus.

Bio-CNG buses can achieve up to 90% net emission reduction.

Highway air quality data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) shows a 12–15% decline in roadside PM2.5 near corridors with high CNG penetration (Delhi–Agra Expressway, Pune–Satara).

Clean air is now measurable — not just aspirational.

🧭 The Policy Push

The Government of India’s Green Highway Policy (2024 revision) aligns with PNGRB’s vision of sustainable corridor energy infrastructure. It mandates:

Dedicated clean-fuel stations every 100 km.

Integration of waste-to-energy (CBG) units with NHAI rest stops.

Promotion of multi-fuel smart stations (CNG, Bio-CNG, EV, and hydrogen-ready).

By 2030, every major National Highway corridor will be energy-agnostic — offering at least one clean alternative to petrol or diesel.

🚘 The Traveller’s Perspective

For Indian drivers, the impact is visible daily. Apps like CNGWALA now help travellers plan entire long-distance routes with real-time station availability, queue lengths, and even Bio-CNG options where available.

Weekend drives, interstate buses, and logistics routes are now being optimised for green travel, not just short-term cost savings. This marks a psychological milestone — where CNG is not just “cheap fuel,” but responsible fuel.

🔮 2030 Vision: The Fully Connected Green Grid

If India stays on its current trajectory, by 2030:

Every National Highway corridor will have CNG/Bio-CNG access every 80–100 km.

Over 60% of intercity buses and 40% of mid-sized trucks will operate on CNG or Bio-CNG.

The switch could cut highway-sector CO₂ emissions by 50 million tonnes annually, according to IEA India Outlook 2025.

The clean corridor dream is no longer futuristic — it’s under construction, kilometre by kilometre.

India’s green highways are not just roads — they’re renewable arteries connecting cities, economies, and futures. With CNG and Bio-CNG at the centre, the long-distance travel of tomorrow will be:

Cheaper to run,

Cleaner to breathe, and

Proudly Indian to produce.

From trucks to taxis, every kilometre powered by clean gas is a step closer to India’s net-zero horizon.

The journey is long — but now, it’s finally green all the way.

Disclaimer: All facts and projections are based on verified data from PNGRB, MoPNG, CPCB, and NHAI reports as of 2025. Figures may vary depending on policy execution, fuel pricing, and infrastructure expansion timelines.